Etjel-eeed system



April 22 1924a 1,493,592

F. E. EDWARDS FUEL FEED SYSTEM Filed Nov. 10 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I X 25 OZCM M m April 22 1924. 1,491,592

F. E. EDWARDS FUEL FEED SYSTEM Filed Nov. 10 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 1924 F E EDWARDS FUEL FEED SYSTEM Filed Nov. 10 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 27 /Wfi Hi 6 l 1" W 4 1., 10 /6 7 r v "I 6 0 :1 ill u V I F2" 1; 1/7 a I aim/572W 565 44 EEdwarcZs lid Patented Apr. 22, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

FRANCIS E. EDWARDS OF CRYSTAL LAKE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO STROMBERG MOTOR DEVICES COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. GOREORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FUEL-FEED SYSTEM.

Application filed November 10, 1920. Serial No. 422,996.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS E. EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Crystal Lake, in the county of Mcl-lenry and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fuel- Feed Systems, of which the following is a full clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specifica- 'tion.

lily invention relates to fuel feed systems for automobiles and the like.

The present invention is in general an improvement on my prior invention of the same general nature set out in my application Serial Number 277,92at, filed April 30, 1920.

in that application a pumping chamber is operated by a column of air which serves as an elastic piston connecting an impulse pump driven by the engine with the pumping chamber- A float controlled port submerged in the carburetor float chamber is opened to obtain a. discharge of liquid fuel from the carburetor to the suction intake of the fuel feed device when the level in the float chamber of the carburetor exceeds a predetermined limit. This discharge stops or diminishes the further drawing of liquid from the supply tank by satisfying or partially satisfying the suction created at the suction intake of the fuel feed device. In one en'ibodimcnt of my prior invention, the continued application of pumping impulses after the level of the liquid in the carbureter float chamber has reached its limit by reason of the opening of the float controlled port submerged therein results in reducing the volume of the elastic piston to such extent that the suction impulses will be insuilicient to raise the liquid from the supply tank. in the other embodiment the continued application of pumping impulses raises the liquid level in the pumping chamber until the level therein exceeds a predetermined limit whereupon a float controlled valve in the pumping chamber closes the chamber against the further application of pumping impulses.

According to my present invention the float controlled port leading from the carbur tsr to the suction intake of the fuel feed device is dispensed with by providing float controlled port in the delivery or discharge chamber of the fuel feed device itself to obtain a discharge from the delivery chamber to the suction intake of the device when a predetermined level is exceeded in the delivery chamber. The ad vantages of my prior invention are thereby had without altering the usual float chamber with which the carbureter is provided as is necessary in one of the embodiments thereof, while the float valve found in the pumping chamber of the other embodiment for closing such chamber against the further application of pumping impulses is dispensed with. Alteration of the standard or usual float chamber with which a carbureter is provided is of course undesirable. A float seated valve cooperating with the mouth of the impulse line to close the pumping chamber against the application of pumping im' pulses is not entirely satisfactory.

Certain arrangements and details of construction which are novel and important and are made the subject matter of some of the appended claims together with such other features of the invention as have not been hereinbefore set forth will appear from the following detailed description and the claims taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic lay-out of my improved fuel feed systemshowing the carburetor, the fuel feed device, the supply tank and the impulse pump;

Figure 2 is a vertical axial section of the fuel feed device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 83 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 2 of an alternative embodiment of my invention;

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 of still another embodiment.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 the fuel feed device (Figure 2) comprises an intake or suction chamber 50, pumping chamber 51 and discharge or delivery chamber 52 superimposed one abovethe other in the order named. The chambers 51 and 52 are preferably formed in a substantially continuous casing 53 divided by a partition or dividing wall 54 while the chamber 50 is in the nature of an independent casing 56 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the bottom of the casing 53. This arrangement permits convenient access to the various valves, etc., within the device. The suction chamber 50 and pumping chamber 51 are separated by a dividing wall which may be in the nature of an independent partition as shown, or may be formed integrally with either of the casings 53 or 56. The top of the casing 53 which is preferably open to allow convenient access to the interior thereof is closed by means of a suitable head or cover 57.

One end of a gasoline supply pipe or line 6 communicates by way of a suitable union 5 with the interior of the intake or suction chamber 50. The opposite end of the gasoline line 6 is connected with the main supply tank 8 (Figure 1). i

The delivery or discharge chamber 52 of the device is connected through a union 22 and pipe or tube 23 with the usual float controlled valve (not shown) of the carburetor float chamber 24. The carburetor 25 which may be of any usual or preferred type supplies the proper -mixture to the engine (not shown) fuel being supplied for such mixture from the float chamber 24:, which float chamber is replenished as liquid fuel is used from the main supply tank 8 through the fuel feed device with which my present invention is particularly concerned. The fuel feed device may be mounted upon the carburetor as shown, or it may be supported in any other desired manner.

The pumping chamber 51 of the device is connected through a union 26 and pipe line or tube 27 with an impulse pump 28. The impulse pump 28 comprises a cylinder having a suitable piston 29 reciprocable therein, which piston 29 is connected by a connecting rod 30 and cam or crank 31 to a shaft 32 of the engine. This shaft 32 is preferably connected to the cam shaft of the engine or such other moving part as will insure reciprocation of the piston 29 when the engine is running. The top of the cylinder of the pump 28 is closed by a head 33 to which is connected the pipe line 27. The cylinder of the pump 28 and the pipe 27 define an air chamber in which there are set up alternate impulses of compression and rarefactions due to the movement of the piston 29 which constitutes one wall of such air chamber. The air in this chamber when thus subjected to rarefactions and compressions operates upon the surface of the liquid in the pumping chamber 51 in the nature of an elastic piston.

Communication between the intake or suction chamber'50 and the pumping chamber 51 of the device is had by way of an upright tube 58 mounted at its upper end in the partition or dividing wall 55. The lower open end of the upright tube 58 depends into close proximity to the bottom of the casing 56. Consequently considerable variation in the liquid level in the chamber 50 will be permitted without uncovering the lower open end of the tube 58. Furthermore, the liquid level in the chamber 50 will not thereby have to be raised to a great or considerable height before a supply is had to the chamber 51. The upper open end of the tube 58 is controlled by a check valve 59 arranged to admit liquid from the inlet or suction chamber 50 to the pumping chamber 51 on the suction or rarefaction stroke and to check or prevent a flow from the chamber 51 to the chamber 50 on the pressure or compression stroke of the piston 29. The valve 59 is held in place by means of a suitable valve cage 60.

Communication between the pumping chamber 51 and the delivery or discharge chamber 52 is had by way of an upright tube 61 mounted at its upper end in the partition or dividing wall 54. The lower end of the tube 61 depends into close proximity to the bottom of the chamber 51 so that any air is efiectively prevented from being injected into the discharge or delivery chamber 52 on the compression impulses. The upper open end of the tube 61 is controlled by a check valve 62 arranged to admit liquid from the chamber 51 to the chamber 52 on the compression impulses and to check or prevent a flow from the chamber 52 to the chamber 51 on the rarefaction or suction impulses. The valve 62 is properly positioned by means of a suitable valve cage 63.

A delivery tube 65 opening at its lower end into the intake or suction chamber 50 of the device, extends or projects through the wall or partition 55, pumping chamber 51, parti' tion 54 and into the delivery or discharge chamber 52. The upper open end of the tube 65 terminates sufficiently below the normal liquid level in the chamber 52 to be submerged under all normal conditions, and is normally closed by a suitable valve member 66 suspended through a yieldable connection 67 from a float 68. When the liquid in the discharge or delivery chamber 52 exceeds a predetermined level the float 68 rises open ing the upper end of the tube 65 whereupon a flow of liquid is set up from the delivery or discharge chamber 52 back to the suction or intake chamber 50.

The operation of the system just described is as follows:

The pump piston 29 being connected directly to the engine and being operated in accordance with the speed of the same causes alternate rarefactions and compressions in the body of air contained within the pipe 27 and the top of the pumping chamber 51. These alternate compressions and rarefactions under normal conditions alternately llU ' draw fuel into the fuel feed device and discharge fuel from the device into the float chamber of the carbureter with which the device is associated in accordance with the demands of the engine. On the rarefaction impulses liquid fuel is drawn from the tank 8 into the intake or suction chamber through the pipe line 6 and thence up through the upright tube 58 past the valve 59 and into the pumping chamber 51. Upon the compression strokes the check valve 59 closes the upper end of the tube 58 and a discharge of liquid is set up from the pumping chamber 51 up through the tube 61 past the valve 62 into the delivery or discharge chamber 52 from which chamber a supply is provided through the union 22 and pipe line 23 to the float chamber 24 of the car bureter 25.

If the demand of the engine drops below the supply to the float chamber 24 of the carbureter, the usual float provided therein will close off communication between the pipe line 23 and the float chamber 24 as well understood by those skilled in the art. The supply to the carbureter being thereby stopped, the liquid thereafter drawn into the pumping chamber 51 of the fuel feed device by the succeeding rarefaction strokes and forced into the delivery or discharge chamber 52 by the succeeding compression strokes will raise the level in the chamber 52 until a predetermined point is reached. The float 68 will rise with a further rise in this liquid level in the chamber 52 lifting the valve 66 from its seat and thereby opening the upper end of the tube 65. A discharge of liquid will thereupon be set up from the delivery or discharge chamber 52 to the intake or suction chamber 50 by Way of the tube 65. This discharge of liquid will satisfy or at least partially satisfy the suction impulses to which the chamber 50 is subjected by way of the tube 58 thereupon stopping or at least diminishing the further drawing of liquid from the supply line 6. As the liquid in the chamber 52 tends to exceed the predetermined level, the float valve 66 will remain off its seat and a continuous circulation will be established from the chamber 52 to the chamber 50 by way of the tube and thence back from the chamber 50 back to the chamber 52 by way of the tube 58, chamber 51 and tube 61. This circulation will continue so long as the pumping chamber tends to supply liquid fuel to the discharge chamber at a faster rate than such fuel is used or supplied to the carbureter.

Any tendency of the level of the liquid fuel to rise in the pumping chamber 51 as by means of a continued supply from the tank 8 even though such supply be slight, will gradually diminish the volumetric area of the elastic piston finally to such an extent that the suction impulses will be in sufiicient in degree to raise any further liquid from the supply tank 8. This preeludes any possibilityof drawing liquid fuel over into the pulsator or pipe line 27. The lower end of the upright tube 61 opens below the normal liquid level in the pumping chamber 51 as hereinbefore explained and thereby prevents the injection of air into the discharge or delivery chamber 52 on the compression impulses.

Upon an increase in the demands of the engine communication between the pipe line 23 and the float chamber 24 of the carbureter 25 is opened and a supply of liquid fuel is again set up through the fuel feed device and thence to the carbureter as hereinbefore set out.

Referring now to the embodiment disclosed in Figures 5 and 6, the fuel feed device of this embodiment comprises an outer casing or receptacle 1 having a cover or head 2 closely fitted upon the top thereof. In the bottom of the casing or receptacle 1 there is mounted a member 3 cored to provide an inlet or suction chamber 4. The union 5' which forms the end of a gasoline supply pipe 6 communicates with the chamber 4 through a suitable screen 7. The opposite end of the pipe 6' is connected with the main supply tank.

Communication between the inlet or suction chamber 4 and a pumping chamber 9 threaded or otherwise suitably mounted upon the cored member 3 is had by way of a hollow upright tubular extension or stem 10 preferably although not necessarily formed integral with the cored member 3. The upper end of the tubular stem 10 carries a valve cage 11 in which valve cage :1 check valve 12 for controlling communication between the inlet or suction chamber 4 and the interior of the pumping chamber 9 is confined. The valve 12 may be seated by a spring 95 or the spring may be omitted as desired.

Communication between the interior of the pumping chamber 9 and the interior of the casing or receptacle 1 is controlled by means of a check valve 13 arranged within a hollow boss 15 projecting substantially radially from the lower end of the pumping chamber 9. The valve 13 is seated by means of a spring 14 interposed between the valve and a hollow stop threaded into the outer end of the boss 15. The port controlled by the valve 13 is arranged sufiiciently below the normal liquid level in the pumping chamber 9 to be submerged at all times, thereby effectively preventing the in- 'jection of air into the discharge or delivery chamber 18 upon the compression impulses.

A hollow stem 16 opening at its lower end into the intake or suction chamber 4 extends upwardly and terminates Suficiently below the normal liquid level in the delivery or discharge chamber 18 to be submerged under all normal conditions. The upper open end of this hollow stem 16 is normally closed by a suitable valve member 19 connected through a universal or yielding connection 20 with a float 21. The yielding connection 20 between the float 21 and the valve 19 permits the valve member to properly adjust itself to the cooperating seat provided at the upper end of the hollow stem 16. The float 21 is preferably cut away at a point in its periphery to permit the pumping chamber 9 to project upwardly therethrough, thereby providing a highly compact arrangement. As in the embodiment disclosed in connection with Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, when the liquid in the discharge or delivery chamber 18 exceeds a predetermined level the float 21 rises opening the upper end of the hollow stem 16 whereupon a flow of liquid is set up from the delivery or discharge chamber 18 to the suction or intake chamber 4.

The delivery or discharge chamber 18 of the device is connected through a union 22' and pipe line or tube 23' with the usual float controlled valve of the carbureter. The carburetor as before, may be of any usual or preferred type. The top of the pumping chamber 9 is connected through a union 26' and pipe line or tube 27' to an impulse pump such as that shown in Figure 1, for example.

The operation of the system just described is substantially the same as the operation set out in connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4:, i. e., the rarefaction impulses draw liquid fuel from the supply tank through the pipe line 6 into the intake or suction chamber 4: and thence up through the hollow extension 10 into the interior of the pumping chamber 9. Upon the compression strokes the inlet check valve 12 is closed and the dis charge check valve 13 is opened against the tension of the spring 14 and the liquid is forced into the delivery or discharge chamber 18 and thence through the union 22' and pipe line 23 to the float chamber of the carburetor.

If communication between the pipe line 23' and the float chamber of the carbureter is closed off. the liquid level in the delivery or discharge chamber 18 will be raised until finally the valve 19 is opened and a circulation of liquid fuel is set up from the chamber 18 to the chamber 4 by way of the hollow extension 16 and thence back from the chamber 4 to the chamber 18 by way of the hollow stem 10, chamber 9 and the port or passage controlled by the valve 13. As before, this circulation will continue so long as the pumping chamber tends to supply liquid fuel to the discharge or delivery chamber at a faster rate than such fuel is used or supplied to the carburetor. As the demands of the engine increase and communication between the pipe line 23 and the float chamber of the carbureter is opened, a supply of liquid fuel is set up through the fuel feed device to the carbureter substantially as explained in connection with Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4:.

With reference now to Figure 7 the fuel feed device of this embodiment like the one shown in Figure 5 comprises an inlet or suction chamber 75, pumping chamber 76 and a delivery or discharge chamber 77. The cored member 78 providing the inlet or suction chamber 7 5 is provided with a threaded boss 7 9 extending through the bottom of the casing 80- and clamped in place by means of a suitable cooperating nut 81. In this instance, however, communication between the end of the gasoline supply pipe and the chamber 7 5 is had through a suitable screen 82 and thence through a valved port 83. This port 83 is controlled by a valve member 81- suspended through a stem from the valve member 85 which valve member 85 is connected through a suitable connection with the float 86. Consequently, upon a predetermined rise of the float 86, not only. will the port '87 be opened to set up a flow from the delivery or discharge chamber 77 back to the intake chamber 75 as before, but at the same time the valve member 84: will be seated by this upward movement of the float 86 thereby positively shutting off communication from the supply line to the suction or intake chamber. The float 86 may be guided by means of a stem 88 depending from the cover 89 of the casing 80 if so desired. Communication between the chambers 7 5 and 7 6 is had by way of a check valved passage 90, while communication between the chambers 76 and 77 is had by way of a check valved passage 91 substantially as set out in connection with Figures 5 and 6.

The feature of setting up a closed circulation within the fuel feed device when the supplying rate of the device exceeds the demands of the engine from the carburetor is an important aspect of my present invention.

The fuel feed device itself is simple, reliable compact and inexpensive and presents a maximum head for the liquid.

I do not, of course, intend to be limited to the precise details of construction shown and described.

I claim:

1. A supply system, having, in combination, an intake chamber, a discharge chamber, pumping apparatus for transferring liquid from said intake to said discharge chamber, means for interrupting the supply to said intake chamber, valve means opening against the direction of flow for permitting flow from the discharge to the intake chammenses her, and a single control device operatively connected to both said means.

2. The combination with a reservoir for liquid fuel and a carbureter to which liquid fuel is delivered, of a fuel feed device comprising a delivery chamber having an intake chamber arranged therein and a pumping chamber, means for drawing the liquid fuel from the intake chamber to the pumping chamber and for discharging said liquid fuel from said pumping chamber to the de livery chamber, from which delivery chamber the carbureter is supplied, and a connection between the delivery chamber and said intake chamber for permitting a direct discharge from the delivery chamber back to the intake chamber when, the supply through the device exceeds the discharge therefrom.

3. A supply system having, in combination, a storage reservoir, intake and discharge chambers, a carburetor chamber, connections running from said reservoir to said intake chamber and from said discharge chamber to said carburetor chamber, pneumatic pumping means transferring liquid from said intake to said discharge chamber, and means sensitive to the amount of liquid in said discharge chamber for returnin liquid from said discharge chamber to said intake chamber and for interrupting the connection between said reservoir and said intake chamber.

i. A supply system having, in combination, a receiving chamber, a pumping device, a control valve in the intake to said pumping device opening against the direction of flow, means for operating said valve according to the condition of the receiving chamher, and means for permitting continuous operation of the pumping device when said valve is closed without developing abnormal suction on the valve.

5. In a supply system of the class described, the combination of an intake chamber, a discharge chamber, pumping apparatus for transferring liquid from the intake to said discharge chamber, and common means for interrupting the supply to the intake chamber and permitting flow from the discharge chamber to the intake chamber.

In Witness whereof, ll hereunto subscribe my name this th day of November, 1920.

FRANCIS E. EDWARDS. 

